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July 30, 1971 ~ May 23, 2021
On May 23, 2021, our beautiful daughter took Jesus’ hand and went home.
She leaves behind her loving parents Herb and Noreen Kern, brother Dan and sister Kathy Schmautz along with her two nieces Haylee and Madison Schmautz; Aunt Lilly Rosentreter, Uncle Ron and Aunt Shirley Watson and many cousins.
She was predeceased by brother-in-law Darren Schmautz, grandparents Charles and Grace Watson & Carl and Martha Kern & Uncle Ed Kern.
Her wonderful sense of humor, friendly presence and compassion as a nurse will remain with those fortunate to know her. With ear to ear smiles and big hugs, she made an impact on everyone she met.
Special thanks to Heather’s special nurses Jan Williams, Kim Witt and Heidi Schollenberg, special friends Erin Day and Kathy Jones who all took very good care of her in her final days.
In lieu of a funeral, the family has produced this documentary movie for Heather.
Offer Condolence for the family of Heather Day (Nee Kern)
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Ralph and Marie Fil
Herb, Noreen and family we were so saddened to hear of the passing of your beautiful daughter, sister and aunty, Heather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss and extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to your family.
Kurt Rosentreter
Heather, I wasn’t ready for this. We had just connected on Christmas cards! Our paths crossed more often when we were kids at all those crazy family events, but it was good to stay in touch right up until recently. Your beautiful, big smile will always be unforgettable for me. I have said that to a dozen people since yesterday. I will miss you my friend and family.
Dan and Kathy, thinking of you both and wishing to share a hug right about now.
Herb and Noreen, there is no words for this. I won’t even try. The two of you have been there for the broader family so many times – absolutely know we are all here for you now. It doesn’t matter how far away we are.
With love,
– Kurt in Toronto
Charlene Mor8n
So very sorry for your family’s loss. Sending my love and prayers to you all.
Audra Rosentreter
Rest peacefully dear cousin. We know you are watching over those you have left behind.
My condolences to all the family.
Cousin Audra
Annette
Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear the news of Heather’s passing. She was and always will be a beautiful angel. Even though we didn’t see each other a lot, but the love for her was and will always be in my heart. God has her now and will take care of her. Love you all!!!
Tara Dupuis
I had the privilege to work with Heather at Concordia ER. She was a fantastic nurse and a beautiful person inside and out. We had so many laughs. Her love for the old school cartoons will always be a memory for me. Chicken pot pie!!! Loved it! So sorry for your loss
Ava Mohammed
Heather was a wonderful Human Being-She embodies life itself with her Infectious Smile and Upbeat
Personality. I loved our spirited exchanges and am proud to say I knew her, I always felt
better after spending time with her. She will forever be my Sista of my heart.
Rest in peace dear Angel , you are loved forever and always
Tina Anderson
I am so saddened to hear of Heather’s passing.
I too had the privelage of working with Heather at Concordia ER.
I will always remember her beautiful smile, her curly locks of hair and her amazing laugh!
My sincere condolences to Heathers family and dear friends.
She is beautiful inside and out, she truely will be missed.
Sandy Robertson
I was very sad to hear of this big loss. She was a great person. Lorne and I both worked with Heather. Lorne saw her in her position as an ME and myself in the ER at Concordia. She is in a better place. The world did have a big loss as she was called to her next career as an ANGEL. REST IN PEACE.
Lindsay Friesen
Words cannot even begin to aptly express how saddened I was to hear of Heather’s passing. I met her only a few years ago working at the Medical Examiner’s Office where she became not only an inspiring mentor to me, but also a dear friend. I was fortunate enough to spend countless hours learning from her incredible and unsurpassable investigatory skills, as well as her intense and effortless connection with grieving families. She was an advocate, and left a mark on anyone lucky enough to cross paths with her.
Heather cared so deeply about others, and was a true empath – going above and beyond at work, as well as for her family & many friends. I am grateful to have formed a close bond with her despite her beautiful and spirited life being cut far too short. I was lucky to spend many hours with Heather laughing until our insides hurt, with countless inside jokes and puns shared between us that I will remember with fondness, as they will always bring a smile to my face since they will forever remind me of her. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. Heather truly was a bright light, and the world will remain slightly dimmer with her gone.
Teresa, Aric and Bentley Gudmundson
Heather was not only a fantastic nurse but a great person. Easily liked and confident to tell it like it is.
She brought our dog Bentley up to Churchill for us on his first airplane ride. Bentley adored her!
I shared many photos of our big boy and chatted a fair bit. Heather never said how unwell she was, always up for a fight to beat the cancer that had returned…
I will miss my friend. Our condolences to you her family…
Monica Huisman
I am so very sorry to hear of Heathers passing. My sincerest condolences to the entire family. Heather and I were dear childhood friends and only lived a few doors down from each other. Although we lost touch as life took us in different directions, she will be remembered as a kind, funny and very caring soul. Many sleepovers in the Boler trailer and lazy summer days on the swing set. These are the memories I will treasure.
Gone too soon.
Much love
Monica (Huisman)
Linda K.
Condolences to Heather’s family & to friends. I worked with Heather @Concordia ER, a great nurse , & more importantly a wonderful, caring human being, who will be missed but she will remain forever in our hearts!! Heaven has gained a beautiful angel!!
Alison
Although I only had the privilege of working with Heather for a short time, it is clear she was a ray of sunshine. I am saddened that we will not cross paths again on earth. I’m sure her smiling face will happily greet us one day.
Jeff B
My condolences to Heather’s entire family!
I knew her from her time as both a nurse at the Conc and in the ME’s office. She was always a pure joy to be around and never shy to share a laugh or story with.
Through the last few years we stayed in touch through social media and I last checked in on her in mid May and am extremely saddened to see that we have now lost her.
Once again my sincerest condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Jil Sutyla
I adored this woman. To Kim and Erin. Sending you a loving hug.
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always think of your beautiful smile. Now it is time to rest sweet Heather.
Jimmy Anis
On behalf of WPS, our deepest condolences to your family. I had the privilege of working with Heather when I was assigned to the Forensic Section and she was always so pleasant to work with. Her personality and work knowledge was truly appreciated by members of the Winnipeg Police Service, especially the Forensic Identification Section.
Patrick Leblanc
Sure miss the sound of those heels coming down the hall. The door opens and in walks this amazing lady with such class. Her vibrant smile fills the room. It is Heather. My friend and colleague as I remember her.
Jeff Morrison
My sincerest condolences to your family. I had the pleasure of working with Heather as one of her Medevac pilots at Perimeter. Some of my best memories to this day were with Heather, and the other pilot who flew with her and I talk about the jokes and laugh about the memories to this day.
One fond memory was Christmas Day 2019 where we spent most of the afternoon stuck at the Lynn Lake airport. The three of us combined our snacks and food to make a big Christmas pot luck style meal in the tiny airport while we waited. (She supplied the majority of the food, including peanut butter brittle).
My coworker and I laugh a lot about a time later that week where the three of us were on our way back to our airplane in Thompson but Heather had us laughing so hard we were all crying.
I am truly saddened to hear of her passing and I am sad that I only got to spend a short amount of time working with her. She was funny, kind, and I feel very lucky to have known her.
My condolences to your family.
Danielle Aessie
I love this girl so much. We met through work but she became such a treasured friend. She had the most amazing smile and witt, and was beautiful inside and out. I have so many precious memories of Heather that I will always carry with me. We were all fortunate to have her in our lives. She will be so missed, but I can hear her laughing now….
My deepest condolences to family and all her friends.
Margo
Heartfelt condolences to Heather’s family. I had the pleasure of working with Heather in the ER at Concordia. She was such an amazing person. A smile that would brighten any room. Beautiful on the inside and out. Heaven gained a very special angel on Sunday. Rest In Peace my friend
Mia Dech
My husband and I had the privilege of meeting Heather at the dog park years ago. As complete strangers we struck up easy conversation and became friends. We are so sorry to hear of her passing. She was such a bright light, truly full of joy. Sending our thoughts to her family and friends at this time.
Kerri Whyte
My sincere condolences to Heather’s family and friends. I met Heather when she was in the ME’s office and I was working in the Winnipeg Police Child Abuse Unit. Heather was a true light and so incredibly fun, she really did light up a room. The empathy she showed towards grieving families was truly amazing. She will be missed.
Lyle and Pam Vann
We are so sorry for your loss. We were fortunate enough to travel to Mexico many times with Heather and the gang. We had many get togethers and she always had a smile, a hug, and enjoyed each day
to the fullest. Carpe Diem! Lyle and I will miss her dearly.
RIP Heather, spread your wings and be free.
We love you,
Robbie Rousseau
My condolences to Heather’s family.
I will remember our times sharing a beer or tequila… her love of animals (and joy when I would send pictures of her fur babies when she was in Mexico and I was pet sitting). I loved our friendship, you will be missed – HUGS dear Heather.
Minda McCafferty
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. Though I only worked briefly with her at Concordia ER she made a big impression on me. I admired her energy, intelligence and beauty. My condolences to her family.
Joyce
I knew Heather from Concordia ER just before we moved to Alberta.
I was so shocked & saddened to hear of her death. My sincere sympathies to her family, the world was a better place with her in it!
Your family was certainly blessed with a beautiful daughter inside & out.
Cousin Fred, and Ilene
There are no words that we could possibly say for the passing of Heather. It breaks our heart she was taken so young. Her memory will never leave us and live long in our hearts. Big hugs and love to everyone in the family. We are truly saddened.
Christie Thorsteinsson
I am very shocked and saddened to hear of Heather’s passing. I worked with her at Concordia ER for many years. She was a skilled and compassionate nurse, and a genuine beautiful human being. We certainly had fun on night shifts – fuelled on midnight Tims runs. I’ll miss you Heather. Your light shone bright and beautiful.
Till we meet again.
Shirley M.
I, too, had the absolute pleasure of working with Heather in the Concordia ER. Our
connection continued when she worked in real
estate and lively waves and smiles when she visited Concordia as a ME.
My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
She was a gem of a human being and will be missed.
Monte Rowe
My deepest sympathies & condolences to Heather’s family, relatives, friends and work colleagues. Reading all the wonderful tributes to Heather, well, it just shows what an amazing impact & impression she had with everyone & everything! A couple of my earliest memories of Heather, I believer she was 7 or 8, was pumping up an old soccer ball for her that kept going flat at least once a week and putting the chain back on her bike when it fell off because she didn’t want to get her hands dirty by handling the chain. Heather had many titles, and she represented all of them proudly! Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Colleague, Confidant and Friend! This ray of sunshine that we call Heather has been dimmed by her passing, but, through all of us that she touched, Heather’s light will always be shining brightly! There’s no doubt of us missing Heather, just as there’s no doubt of us remembering her. Always.
Trevor Dowd
I first met Heather 9-10 years ago, as she worked for the Medical Examiner’s Office and I worked for the WPS in general patrol. Our paths crossed again on a regular basis while I worked in the Child Abuse Unit. Heather was always extremely professional and compassionate when attending scenes and she always provided comfort to the people who had lost a loved one. My thoughts are with Heather’s friends and family. She truly was a kind person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Kevin Johnson
In my thoughts and prayers.
Unfair…not right. Broken…but, I have faith in his plan…Our Angel.
That smile….that laugh and grin.
That amazing hair.
And such a kind, and giving heart.
Beautiful soul.
Time…our greatest asset, we better not waste.
She enforced that with me in song. A gift.
Never will I forget. Thank you.
That life long mark has been left, and I’m thankful for the time I was given. I know I’ve been blessed. Rest now. Free of pain, and surrounded by love. I look forward to when me meet again.
My sincere condolences to all family and friends.
I’m deeply sorry for your loss.
~ Kevin J
Anita Peters
So saddened to hear of Heathers passing. Heather was a true blue person. Real. Genuine. Infectious smile. Beautiful inside and out. Ive known Heather since the 80’s , from Transcona and then later, we worked together in Emergency at Concordia hospital. She was a terrific mentor. Enthusiastic about the profession and made you want to do well, be like her.
Please take comfort in knowing your daughter, sister, aunt affected all that knew her in a positive way. Heather will not be forgotten and will be sorely missed.
Anita
Joe & Lydia Johnson
Sincere Condolences to Heather’ s Family.. we knew her a very short time but she left a lasting loving impression on our family .. a young life taken too soon
Christine Brown
I had the pleasure of meeting Heather at HSC. When Heather would enter the office she had such a presence, she always looked spectacular and would smile at everyone she saw. And of course you couldn’t help but admire those luscious locks. She had such a magnetic personality and I felt like I’d known her for years. She was so down to earth and so easy to talk with, it didn’t take long before you were laughing from her quick-witted comments.
I wish that I had known you better Heather and I am so incredibly sad that you lost your battle with cancer. I will always cherish our last conversation.
You were loved and adored by so many people and you were taken far too soon. My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
May you Rest In Peace.
Rhonda
I met Heather working nights at Concordia Hospital. We quickly became comrades…as we both had much in common…Chow Chows! Music! Tim’s! She supported me in all of my crazy running races, and was a huge cheerleader when I did Ironman! I found out that she was allergic to apples, but loved them! So I made her a Ritz Cracker , that’s made only with Ritz crackers and absolutely no apples! She would not touch it! I still think of her laughing at me that it was made from Ritz crackers! It really was though! A recipe from the Depression. I then used her real estate knowledge when I divorced. Met her over and over again, at St. Boniface and Concordia hospital as her role as a Medical Examiner. Her compassion towards family and her fight for “ones that had passed” was ginormous. She was always professional, and treated everyone the same. A real gem and an enormous loss to everyone she crossed paths with. Truly sorry for your loss.
Shian Bear
I was heather’s hairstylist for the past 8/9 years. She was definitely more of a friend than client! Everyone in the salon loved when she came in she could make everyone laugh or smile. I will miss her so much and will always remember the great times we had while she was sitting in my chair getting her hair done! Sending lots of love to her family and friends during this time!
Krista Detillieux (Frank)
I knew Heather from our days of German dancing at Folklorama in the 80’s. We had such fun and enjoyed our times together. She had awesome hair even back then! We kept in touch for a few years, but lost our connection along the way. I often thought of her over the years and wished we had kept in touch. I was sad to hear of her passing and sounds like she left a lasting impression and was an amazing woman. My deepest condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.
Jan & Dave Day
We were so privileged to have Heather in our family. She left such a positive impact on all of us and we were so saddened to hear of her passing. Our deepest condolences to Herb and Noreen and the rest of her family. Our sympathies as well to Erin. She was a wonderful person and left much too soon.
Michelle Taylor
This news is heartbreaking. I had the blessing of meeting Heather several years ago. She was full of life, wore her heart on her sleeve, and inspired me with her professional and personal enthusiasm. She had a real impact on me as a nurse and also as someone with a such a positive attitude. She left this world a better place because she was in it.
Shelley Hannah
I was so sad to hear of Heather’s untimely passing. We hadn’t kept in touch, but I was fortunate and blessed to be part of Heather’s life for a long time. A beautiful soul inside and out. Rest in peace sweet Heather.
My sincere condolences.
Dave Normandale
Expressing sorrow is never easy, and this is one of the hardest pieces I have asked myself to write. Heather was a gifted student of mine; her friendship extended past graduation, and it gave me great delight to bump into her along Spruce Bay Road one summer day. I look back on my TCI days with great fondness: it was a great school with caring teachers and students ready to take on so much. Heather epitomized that for me. Dan–I am so sorry at the loss of your sister. It was Heather’s suggestion that I reach out to you to help with music for “Surf’s Up at Transcona Beach”. Without her help getting to you, I am not sure if that play ever would have been completed. Herb & Noreen–life is unfair. I have a small sense of what you are going through; may your long-lasting memories of Heather comfort you.
bonita solomon
My deepest condolences to Heather’s family and friends. Rest well sweet Angel
David klassen
Our condolences to Heather’s family. Knew her professionally as an MEI. She was compassionate as an investigator to the families she served and very conscientious in her work.
Harlon and Barb
Dear Herb and Noreen
What a testament to your daughters’ life. We are thinking of you and praying you will find comfort in all the condolences from family and friends. Wishing PEACE to bring comfort, COURAGE to face the days ahead, and LOVING MEMORIES to forever hold in your heart.
Love Harlon and Barb
Kate and Rick Pacey
Herb and Noreen, Dan and Kathy and girls. Our hearts cry for you. I so much wanted to see Heather again. Covid didn’t allow that. May God give you all peace and comfort in knowing she will now be at rest and no longer suffering. She brought love and care to many people and she surely will be missed. Love from Kate and Rick Pacey
Herb, Noreen and Family
Our Family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful condolences and tributes to our beautiful Heather. It brings us great comfort to know she was so well thought of and that she touched so many people in her short life. She was so compassionate and caring to all she knew and loved nursing the sick and had a special place for all her friends.
Thank you.
– Herb & Noreen